BACKGROUND: In Italy, there is no widespread standardized national monitoring system for breastfeeding practices. RESEARCH AIMS: To estimate breastfeeding indicators according to World Health Organization recommendations and associated socioeconomic factors, highlighting the potential and limitations of vaccination centers as sources of data. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the vaccination centers of 13 Local Health Districts in Italy...

BACKGROUND: Extended breastfeeding is rare in Poland, and lack of acceptance and understanding is often evident in public opinion. The ability to provide reliable information about breastfeeding beyond infancy depends on health professionals' levels of knowledge and attitudes. They are considered by most parents in Poland to be authorities in the field of child nutrition. RESEARCH AIMS: To determine (1) the level of knowledge and the attitudes of Polish health professionals towards extended breastfeeding; (2) the relationship between personal breastfeeding experience and attitudes towards extended breastfeeding; and (3) the relationship between knowledge about breastfeeding beyond twelve months and attitudes towards breastfeeding beyond infancy...

BACKGROUND: Researchers exploring breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge among women suggest the decision to breastfeed is influenced by the male partner, yet few studies address males. Because collegiate males will soon enter fatherhood, assessment of their attitudes and knowledge may inform interventions aimed at increasing intention to breastfeed. RESEARCH AIM: This study aimed to describe collegiate males' exposure to, attitude toward, and knowledge about breastfeeding...

The accelerating reach of opioid use disorder in North America includes increasing prevalence among pregnant people. In Canada, the rate of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) rose 27% between 2012-2013 and 2016-2017, and it is estimated that 0.51% of all infants now experience NAS after delivery. Pregnant people are a priority population for access to opioid replacement therapy programs. Participation in such programs demonstrates significant commitment to self-care among pregnant people and concern for fetal and infant wellbeing...

BACKGROUND: Infant tongue-tie can cause breastfeeding problems, which may be improved by frenotomy. However, controversy exists among the medical community. RESEARCH AIM: To examine the influence of frenotomy on infants with posterior ankyloglossia, by quantifying the changes in breastfeeding and maternal nipple pain using standardized tools. METHODS: Newborns ( N=30) below 12 weeks of age were recruited from the Herzl-Goldfarb Breastfeeding Clinic between April 2014 and April 2015...

Annelies Allain has been at the forefront of global efforts to support and promote breastfeeding for more than 30 years. Her accomplishments continue to affect all of us who work with breastfeeding families. Born in the Netherlands in 1945, Annelies Allain-van Elk received a scholarship and completed a BA from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, USA. Back in Europe, she obtained a BA in French language and literature (University of Geneva, Switzerland) as well as a translator's diploma. After 4 years working in West Africa and visits to South America, she returned to Geneva to obtain an MA in development studies...

BACKGROUND: Young mothers (age 14-24 years), who are often low income, are less likely than other mothers to breastfeed for 6 months. They also are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of breast cancer; breastfeeding significantly reduces this risk. While adolescent breastfeeding has been investigated from the perspective of the individual, the social ecological model recognizes the influence of factors at multiple levels. RESEARCH AIM: The aim was to identify social and structural barriers to and motivators of breastfeeding that young mothers may encounter...

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding self-efficacy has been shown to be a strong predictor of breastfeeding initiation and duration; however, factors associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy in China are unclear. RESEARCH AIMS: The aims were (a) to describe the breastfeeding self-efficacy of parturient women in Shanghai, China and (b) to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study...

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, southern states in the United States have recorded the lowest breastfeeding rates. It is not known whether awareness of breastfeeding laws and provision of resources play any role in their breastfeeding practices. RESEARCH AIMS: The aims were (a) to describe awareness of breastfeeding laws and provisions by students and employees of institutions of higher learning in the state of Georgia, (b) to describe awareness by race and ethnicity, and (c) to determine factors associated with awareness of breastfeeding laws and provisions among students and employees within Georgia institutions of higher learning...

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding provides health benefits for women and newborns. However, few studies have explored how these health benefits translate into economic savings. RESEARCH AIM: This study aimed to estimate the healthcare costs savings generated by exclusive breastfeeding for healthy newborns. METHODS: We designed a longitudinal two-group observational study that included healthy women and newborns ( N=236) in Toledo, Spain. Over the first 6-months of the infants' lives, we reviewed their clinical histories to determine their consumption of healthcare resources and the type of nutrition provided...

In designing longitudinal lactation research studies, certain factors must be taken into account that are necessary for the generation of meaningful data. Perhaps more like longitudinal childhood research studies in terms of ongoing changes that occur during childhood that challenge study design, longitudinal lactation research studies encompass a period of tremendous change in both the mother and her breastfeeding infant that affect study design, implementation, and analysis. Given this changing dynamic, studies should be designed to accommodate a whole host of factors, such as changes in maternal and infant health; coexisting conditions during the lactation period; the stage of lactation; diurnal variations; the frequency and exclusivity of breastfeeding; maternal diet and any complementary/supplementary foods given to the infant; geography; socioeconomic factors; body mass index; physical activity; and any changes in milk composition that occur across longer periods of lactation...

BACKGROUND: Insufficient milk production is among the most cited reasons by mothers for discontinuing breastfeeding. Medications that can increase milk production, such as domperidone, an off-label galactagogue, are often prescribed. Domperidone is controversial as it is not approved for any purpose in the United States and is approved only for gastrokinetic purposes in Canada and other countries. RESEARCH AIM: The aim was to update the existing literature on the efficacy of domperidone as a galactagogue compared to placebo when given to mothers with insufficient human milk production...

BACKGROUND: Little information has been documented regarding interventions for mastitis by Australian physiotherapists. It is currently not known if physiotherapy interventions vary across Australian regions and types of healthcare facilities. RESEARCH AIMS: (1) To identify the interventions used by Australian physiotherapists treating mothers with mastitis and (2) to determine the variability in interventions used across regions and facilities. METHODS: A retrospective observational design was used...

BACKGROUND: Researchers have shown beneficial influences of exclusive breastfeeding for women and infants. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first 6 months following birth. In Bhutan, researchers have found, through survey research, variable exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months. They have not, however, explored the experiences and views of participants in relation to breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIM: The aim was to explore first-time mothers' views, intentions, and experiences related to exclusive breastfeeding...